Prefectures

Abstract

  14.   We all have ideals. Sometimes they become rather weak, and we may lose them. This is unfortunate. It means we are no longer striving toward some fine goal.

  15.   Servers have ideals. It should be harder for them to lose these ideals, because they can easily put them into practice within the beautiful structure of the liturgy. One of the simplest ideals would be to be as helpful to the clergy and sacristan as possible. In serving, there are higher ideals, because you are not only someone who has been called in to help the priest.

  16.   By Baptism and Confirmation, you are empowered to share in the priestly Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Eucharistic Sacrifice, summit and source of the life of God’s People. By these sacraments of initiation, we are given access to God in the celebration of Christian worship. The third permanent way God raises some men into this great action of eternal devotion is by Sacred Orders: bishops, priests, and deacons, who are empowered to preside over and direct the Church’s worship.

17.   You can see your place in this action of worship. Whenever you serve at Mass, you are using the priestly consecration of your Baptism and Confirmation. You are assisting those ordained by a further priestly consecration. You are carrying out your lay duty in a special way, part of the active participation of all the other lay people gathered by God at the altar. You are carrying out sacred duties, delegated to you by the ordained men. You are a special link in the combined action of adoration and praise that the whole Church celebrates every day in her liturgy.

 18. You have been “consecrated” by Baptism and Confirmation. This word “consecrated” means to be set apart, made holy, given a special share in God’s grace. But it also means that Christians are expected to be men and women of faith, sincere believers who really live out this gift of God. Other ideals come from our “consecrated” life.

Excerpt from: "Ceremonies Explained for Servers: A Manual for Altar Servers, Acolytes, Sacristans, and Masters of Ceremonies" by Peter J. Elliot.